Cheater's Battle Royal

We have all seen battles with prep, battles with massive power, and battles with creative use of the environment.

This is a battle for those who "cheat" or "bend the rules.

Rules:

1. The participants must follow the exact word of the contest, but are encouraged to cheat.

2. The participants may not use any powers, only their minds. (No magic for Doom, no dimensional energy for Terrific, ect.)

3. Participants must not use outside help. (No calling back up, no using minion)

4. Participants get 3 points for being first in the round, 2 for second, 1 for third. Most points at the end of round 5 wins.

5. Contestants gain no points if they win fairly.

The Contestants:

Tony Stark

Dr. Doom

Joker

Lex Luthor

Mr. Terrific

Bruce Wayne

Ahmadeus Cho

and

Reed Richards

Round 1: Win a chess tournament with the other contestants.

Round 2: Take a personal item from both Thanos and Darkseid.

Round 3: A debate on the benefits and dangers of humans with powers.

Round 4: A game of texas hold'um

Round 5: Prove how your opponents cheated in rounds 1 - 4.

So who wins, who is the biggest cheat?

Even when I make a battle with many popular characters not even a nibble...

Batman obviously wins all the rounds including round 6.

I'd actually give Lex the edge with the restrictions placed on certain characters. Reed won't cheat, he'll try to play fair and that'll be his downfall.

Round 1:

The Joker blows everyone else up; win by default.

Round 2:

Lex Luthor; he steals the items from the Avengers and the Fortress of Solitude (since heroes keep items from their victories).

Round 3:

The Joker kills everyone; wins by default.

Round 4:

The Joker kills everyone.

Round 5: Batman points out the Joker keeps cheating by killing them; but the city blows up before he can finish; Joker wins.

While I am sure that Joker can come up with some very unpredictable things, I do not see him killing many people on this list even if he tried.

Batman once deduced a giant living rainbow monster was born in a volcano and can only be destroyed there....based on literally no information at all. He wins via the Batman Gambit, his ability to predict people's actions before they take place. Because psychology or something. He's Batman.

Batman accomplishes a lot of things just "because he is Batman".

The Joker

While many of the other contestants might beat him in intelligence, The Joker has the mind of chaos perfectly fitted for the unpredictability required to win a game like chess. Everyone else: Doom, Luther, Stark— they'll play the game intelligently but they shall fail to foresee any unpredictable moments when Joker switches from one strategy to another in the blink of an eye. If you don't know the moves you cannot counter them. Joker's moves won't make sense until you realize you've been checkmated.

"What a mind he has. How many men have ever bested me at chess? He has such a splendid brain. Switching from one strategy to another in the blink of an eye. As though he has harnessed chaos for his own use."

—Ra's Al Ghul

Gallery

Round 2: Take a personal item from both Thanos and Darkseid.

Lex Luthor

When no one was looking, Lex Luthor once stole forty cakes. His thievery skills are unmatched, so he wins no contest.

Round 3: A debate on the benefits and dangers of humans with powers.

Lex Luthor

Come on now— He's the greatest businessman in the DC Universe. He's a criminal mastermind, and he was even the freakin' President of the United States! He has the charisma of a natural leader and the mindset and brutal focus of a malicious politician, but most importantly he understands the values of power and has studied its benefits/danger all his life throughout his experiences versus Superman. Lex can debate circles around all those other contestants.

"Gods are selfish beings who fly around in little red capes and don't share their powers with mankind. No Kitty, I don't want to be a God, I just want to bring fire to the people."

—Lex Luthor

Round 4: A game of Texas Hold 'em

The Joker

His very own name comes from the name of a card: "The Joker." Playing cards is something he does best.

...Cheating is something he does better.

Round 5: Prove how your opponents cheated in Rounds 1 - 4.

Bruce Wayne

Bruce has been dealing with the Joker's tricks and tactics all his life... because he's Batman. Oh— and he also happens to be the World's Greatest Detective.

Well let's take a look at the final score, shall we?

• Tony Stark: 8 Points
• Dr. Doom: 2 Points
• The Joker: 9 Points
• Lex Luthor: 7 Points
• Mr. Terrific: 2 Points
• Bruce Wayne: 4 Points
• Reed Richards: 1 Point
• Ahmadeus Cho: 0 Points

Aaaaand the Winner(s) is...............

First Place:The Joker (9 Points)

Second Place:Tony Stark (8 Points)

Third Place:Lex Luthor (7 Points)

Sincerely,

At least 1 somewhat (maybe) serious answer in a month... I will take what I can get I guess.

@jokergeist: I would like to join Geist.